Equal Exchange is a leader in the fair trade and cooperative movement. This month, a selection of their products are on a special sale display at the Market. This includes some varieties of regular coffee (not decaf), teas (herbal, green, and black), and chocolate, (including hot cocoa for chilly Spring mornings).

Of special note: 5 pound bags of selected Equal Exchange full-octane (not decaf) coffee are on sale at bulk prices for the month of May:

• 15% off the regular price for ALL Market members–blue or gold card holders
• 5% off the regular price for non-members

Here’s to farmers, fair trade, and cooperatives!

There are two simple steps to get ready for  Green Up Day: a bag and a map.

1. Pick up a Green Up Day trash bag at the Market or another place near you.
2. When you pick up your bag, indicate on a map (provided) where you’ll be working. That saves a neighbor from showing up at the same place before or after you.

After you’ve made your collection, take the bag to your local dump. If it is an official Green Up Day bag, you won’t be charged for it.

Here’s to the cooperative spirit of this effort!

The design of a rabbit and two heritage breed chickens (all local models:) celebrates the opening of a new fowl and small animal building at the fairgrounds.

Posters are available at the Market for $5. Wendy is happy to autograph posters on request. Catch her stocking product in the wine and beer section, or ask any of the staff for her.

Here’s to a great poster and a grand fair!

On Tuesday, March 20 (the first day of Spring), three local entities–the South Royalton Market, Welch’s True Value and Schweitzer Fellows at the Vermont Law School, in combination with VLS Energy Collaborative, is sponsoring a “Button Up” workshop. A press release, with all basic information, is published in the next blog entry on this site.

Further information:
1. Please pre-register! Space is limited to 15. Email: soromarket@gmail.com or phone 763-2400.
2. The light supper will be hearty vegetarian food.
3. The event is 6:00-8:00. Please arrive on time. Welch’s closes at 6:00. If you arrive close to, or after, closing, access the workshop via the side door that faces the hill ‘out back.’
4. Welch’s is located at 3626 Vermont Route 14, north of S. Royalton village.
5. Why now? Because the cost of winter heating is fresh in homeowners minds; and this is the start of the do-it-yourself building season.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Were your winter heating costs high this winter? Are you wondering how to reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home?

Learn what you can do to ‘button up’ your house or apartment at a Button Up workshop on Tuesday, March 20, 6:00-8:00 pm at Welch’s True Value on Route 14 in Royalton. This free informational session is designed to help Vermonters learn the basics of building science and how to improve energy efficiency in their homes. A light supper, prepared by the South Royalton Market, will accompany the workshop at no charge.

The 2-hour workshop includes an overview of why building efficiency is important, illustrates how homes lose energy, and outlines clear steps that homeowners can take to address this energy loss. Bob Walker of Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) in Thetford is the presenter.

“March 20 is the first day of Spring,” says Elizabeth Ferry, education and community outreach coordinator at the Market, “and the start of the home building season. This gives people time to make changes during warm weather.”

People who have wallboard down or are putting up new construction, as well as current and potential homeowners, can benefit from this information. Local sponsors include the South Royalton Market, Welch’s True Value, and the Vermont Law School Energy Collaborative (VEC) and Schweitzer Fellowship. The workshop is being held at Welch’s so that participants can become familiar with a range of home-sealing products.

The event is open to the public. Space is limited; registration in advance is appreciated. Contact the South Royalton Market at 763-2400 or soromarket@gmail.com to register. More information is posted at www.soromarket.com.

• After enjoying a wonderful potluck supper, the gathering got down to business. Heather Leavitt, board president, read reports from the board of directors and the treasurer.
• Wendy Judge, general manager, talked about the Market’s increased community giving. In 2009, the Market donated just over $2,000 to local organizations; in 2011, that number had more than tripled, reaching $7,200.
• Elizabeth Ferry, education & community outreach coordinator, spoke of the Market’s work to increase access to nutritious food, including involvement in the community  gardens; the home delivery program for people who are house-bound; and “Be Our Guest,” a program that pays for the cost of the congregate lunch at the Royalton Area Senior Center on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

Board member Denise Hershey lead a group brainstorming session about possible future directions for the co-operative if we were to expand our services. Ideas included more education, offering low-cost water filtration, making the store handicap accessible, adding fresh meat, and increasing space for local craft items. The board will continue to cogitate on these thoughts.

Sue Schlabach and Peg Elmer were elected to the board by unanimous vote. Their terms run for 3 years.

The distribution of door prizes (gift baskets of store items) was received enthusiastically.

And there it was: the 11th annual meeting of the South Royalton Market, a locally founded, owned, and operated business!

Here are a few photos from the gala occasion.

• Chocolate-dipped strawberries (find them in the sandwich cooler)
• Chocolate Cookies To Die For (with a touch of cayenne) in special Valentine bags
• Foil wrapped chocolates and special chocolate bars
• Special-themed gift baskets–with the option of making your own

And, of course, a variety of thoughtfully selected cards, including paper collages by the Market’s own Kristen Johnson, who recently joined us as a cashier.